Notre Dame Con Studies Public Lecture Series

Liberal democracies rely on truth-seeking institutions insulated from, or capable of rising above, partisan politics: science, universities, and serious journalism. Each was politicized and degraded under Covid, falling victim to the moral and epistemic tribalism that disfigures our politics and culture.

Based on his book, In Covid’s Wake: How Our Politics Failed Us, co-authored with Frances Lee (Princeton University Press, 2025), Macedo will trace how leaders made policy during the worst pandemic in over a century.

In so doing, he will contend that educated elites need to soberly examine their performance, assess their own biases and blind spots, and strive to be more worthy of the public’s trust.

Visit the CCCG: www.constudies.nd.edu

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The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the University of Notre Dame, the College of Arts and Letters, or the Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government.

Join our distinguished panel for a discussion of "Growing in Virtue: Aquinas on Habit" by William C. Mattison III. Growing in Virtue is the only comprehensive account of growth in virtue in the thought of Thomas Aquinas. Our conversation explores the intellectual rigor and accessibility of these topics, making them relevant to individuals of any or no religious affiliation, yet deeply rooted in Catholic thought.The focal point of our dialogue is the intriguing relationship between the graced virtue of the Christian life, often referred to as supernatural or infused virtue, and the more universally recognized virtues that people of any or no faith can possess, known as acquired virtues. With the aid of our distinguished panelists, we navigate through the intricate scholarly debates surrounding these concepts, aiming to contribute meaningful insights into virtue scholarship.We address salient questions that resonate with everyone: At what point does one embody virtues such as generosity, chastity, patience, or sobriety enough to be rightfully described as virtuous? For those of faith, how do persistent sins affect our relationship with God’s grace? Furthermore, we examine how genetics, upbringing, personal choices, and divine grace interplay in shaping our moral character and virtue.This conversation not only uncovers the foundational aspects of habit and virtue according to Thomas Aquinas but also sheds light on the practical implications of these ideas in everyday life. Whether you're steeped in philosophical inquiry or simply curious about the intersection of faith, virtue, and personal growth, this discussion offers valuable perspectives and insights.Panelists: - William C. Mattison III, Wilsey Family Associate Professor, University of Notre Dame- Jennifer Herdt, Gilbert L. Stark Professor of Christian Ethics at Yale University's Divinity School.- Jean Porter, John A. O'Brien Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame- Rev. Dominic Legge, O.P., Director of the Thomistic Institute and Associate Professor of Dogmatic Theology at the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.Visit the CCCG: www.constudies.nd.edu***The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the University of Notre Dame, the College of Arts and Letters, or the Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government.

Yoram Hazony is an Israeli philosopher, biblical scholar, and political theorist. He currently serves as the President of the Herzl Institute in Jerusalem, and is the Chairman of the Edmund Burke Foundation. Dr. Hazony is the author of "The Virtue of Nationalism and Conservatism: A Rediscovery." He graduated from Princeton University with a B.A. in East Asian Studies and completed his Ph.D. at Rutgers University in Political Theory.As we discuss antisemitism, a subject Dr. Hazony approaches with hesitance, acknowledging its apparent remoteness from our daily realities. However, recent shocking events have foregrounded the persistence and danger of antisemitism, especially in academic contexts. Professor Hazony invites us to confront these uncomfortable truths, challenging us to reconsider our perceptions and stand against injustice.In a time when the moral health and role of free speech in our universities are brought sharply into question, Dr. Hazony and the CCCG explores these issues.Visit the Center for Citizenship & Constitutional Government: https://constudies.nd.edu/***The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the University of Notre Dame, the College of Arts and Letters, or the Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government.

Christina Bambrick is the Filip Family Assistant Professor of Political Science specializing in constitutional theory. Her research and teaching interests range from American and comparative constitutionalism to republican theory and the history of political thought.Bambrick's book, "Constitutionalizing the Private Sphere: A Comparative Inquiry" (Cambridge 2025) examines the horizontal application of rights to non-state actors in comparative constitutionalism, specifically in the United States, India, Germany, South Africa, and the European Union. Jurists have traditionally understood the constitution as a separate kind of law that obligates only the state. However, courts increasingly understand constitutions as creating obligations for private entities such as businesses, private schools, and private individuals. Bambrick draws on constitutional debates, court cases, political histories, and interviews to argue that this development of horizontal application reflects a republican intervention in constitutionalism, thus altering the politics surrounding rights. While liberal narratives emphasize the rights of individuals, horizontal application builds a catalogue of duties as well, corresponding to the commitments and aspirations of a given constitutional order.Joining Dr. Bambrick on this panel are Aníbal Pérez-Liñán, Director of the Kellogg Institute and professor of political science and global affairs at the University of Notre Dame; Leslie F. Goldstein, the Judge Hugh M. Morris Professor Emerita of the Department of Political Science and International Relations; and Ran Hirschl, University Professor and the David R. Cameron Distinguished Professor in Law and Politics at the University of Toronto.Visit the Center for Citizenship & Constitutional Government: https://constudies.nd.edu/***The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the University of Notre Dame, the College of Arts and Letters, or the Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government.

Alexander Chula is a Thai-British medical doctor and writer, living and working in London. He studied Classics at Oxford then medicine at the University of London.His first book, "Goodbye, Dr Banda," was published by Polygon in 2023. He has also written for The Spectator, The Daily Telegraph and The Critic in the UK, and for The New Criterion and National Review in the US.Dr. Chula's book raises compelling questions about the universality of the humanities, the purposes of education, the challenges of nation-building in postcolonial Africa, and cultural transmission and translation.Dr. Chula brings to us an engaging narrative of a small, often overlooked African country, Malawi. Despite its size, he showcases why Malawi embodies questions that resonate with global significance, touching on the value of education, the western canon, and cultural exchanges.In "Goodbye Dr. Banda," Dr. Chula combines vivid storytelling with profound investigation into how the West engages with drastically diverse cultures, especially relevant in today's global context.Visit the Center for Citizenship & Constitutional Government: https://constudies.nd.edu/***The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the University of Notre Dame, the College of Arts and Letters, or the Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government.#culturalexchange #culturalstudies #globalperspective #malawi

Carson Holloway is Ralph Wardle Diamond Professor of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Political Science at the University of Nebraska, Omaha and a Washington Fellow in the Claremont Institute’s Center for the American Way of Life. He is the author of "Hamilton versus Jefferson in the Washington Administration: Completing the Founding or Betraying the Founding?" (Cambridge University Press, 2015).His scholarly articles have appeared in the "Review of Politics, Interpretation: A Journal of Political Philosophy," and "Perspectives on Political Science," and he has written more popular articles for "First Things," "The New Criterion," "National Affairs," "Public Discourse," "National Review," "Law and Liberty," "The Federalist," the "American Spectator," and the "American Conservative."Professor Holloway received his B.A. from the University of Northern Iowa and his Ph.D. from Northern Illinois University.Learn about the nuances of the actual malice standard, a cornerstone principle that has governed defamation law in the United States since the landmark case New York Times vs. Sullivan in 1964. The talk explores not only the origins and subsequent development of this pivotal doctrine but also offers a profound reflection on its implications for freedom of the press and speech under the First Amendment.Justice Gorsuch's pragmatic views on the evolving nature of discourse in the age of social media serve as a starting point for a broader discussion. The presenter, employing an originalist critique, navigates through the historical understandings of the First Amendment, shedding light on how the framers of the Constitution envisioned the freedoms of press and speech, and contrasting these views with modern interpretations and the contentious actual malice standard.By examining Justice Brennan's approach in the Sullivan case, labeled here as 'spirous originalism,' this presentation critically assesses the consistency of the Sullivan ruling with originalist principles.Visit the Center for Citizenship & Constitutional Government: https://constudies.nd.edu/***The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the University of Notre Dame, the College of Arts and Letters, or the Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government.#freedomofpress #firstamendment #constitution #constitutionallaw #supremecourt #legaleducation

John Yoo is the Emanuel Heller Professor of Law at the University of California at Berkeley. He is also a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and a Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University.Among his many books include The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Supreme Court (2023, with Robert Delahunty) and Defender-in-Chief: Trump’s Fight for Presidential Power (2020). In addition to publishing more than 100 academic articles, Professor Yoo regularly contributes to the editorial pages of the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and National Review, among others.Professor Yoo has served in all three branches of government. He was an official in the U.S. Department of Justice, where he worked on national security and terrorism issues after the 9/11 attacks. He served as general counsel of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. He has been a law clerk for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and federal appeals Judge Laurence Silberman.His talk discusses the legal controversies surrounding former President Donald Trump, focusing specifically on his actions leading up to and following January 6, 2021. This discussion transcends personal opinions of Trump and examines the broader implications for the U.S. legal and political landscape.We explore the unprecedented nature of Trump's refusal to accept the 2020 election results, his attempts to influence the electoral vote count, and his speech ahead of the Capitol riot. Equally, the lecture scrutinizes the unparalleled response from legal institutions, described as 'lawfare' - the use of legal systems to achieve political ends. Through this lens, we discuss the historical restraint shown towards prosecuting former presidents and question the implications of abandoning such precedents.The talk is designed to unravel the complexities of relying on legal systems to address political issues that, in the past, were solved through more traditional political means, such as diplomacy and statesmanship.Visit the Center for Citizenship & Constitutional Government: https://constudies.nd.edu/***The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the University of Notre Dame, the College of Arts and Letters, or the Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government.#law #lawandpolitics #politicalscience #constitutionallaw #election

The Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government is joined by Notre Dame Law School's Program on Church, State & Society and the Lindsay and Matt Moroun Religious Liberty Clinic to host its inaugural True Lecture Series, programming made possible by Tad and Jenn True.John Witte, Jr. is Woodruff University Professor, McDonald Distinguished Professor, and Director of the Law and Religion Center at Emory University. A leading scholar of legal history, human rights, family law, and law and religion, he has delivered 425 public lectures worldwide and published 325 articles and 45 books, in 15 languages.His most recent monographs include the following, published with Cambridge University Press: The Western Case for Monogamy over Polygamy (2015), Church, State, and Family (2019), The Blessings of Liberty (2021), as well as Faith, Freedom, and Family (Mohr Siebeck, 2021), and Religion and the American Constitutional Experiment (Oxford University Press, 2022).In addition to his administrative duties, Professor Witte serves as editor of the Cambridge Law and Christianity Series and Emory Studies in Law and Religion and coeditor of the Journal of Law and Religion, Brill Research Perspectives on Law and Religion, and the Aranzadi Colección Raíces del Derecho series. He holds degrees in law (Harvard University) and theology (Dr. Theol. h.c., University of Heidelberg). His lectures will be the inaugural True Lectures at the University of Notre Dame.Visit the Center for Citizenship & Constitutional Government: https://constudies.nd.edu/***The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the University of Notre Dame, the College of Arts and Letters, or the Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government.

The Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government is joined by Notre Dame Law School's Program on Church, State & Society and the Lindsay and Matt Moroun Religious Liberty Clinic to host its inaugural True Lecture Series, programming made possible by Tad and Jenn True.John Witte, Jr. is Woodruff University Professor, McDonald Distinguished Professor, and Director of the Law and Religion Center at Emory University. A leading scholar of legal history, human rights, family law, and law and religion, he has delivered 425 public lectures worldwide and published 325 articles and 45 books, in 15 languages.His most recent monographs include the following, published with Cambridge University Press: The Western Case for Monogamy over Polygamy (2015), Church, State, and Family (2019), The Blessings of Liberty (2021), as well as Faith, Freedom, and Family (Mohr Siebeck, 2021), and Religion and the American Constitutional Experiment (Oxford University Press, 2022).In addition to his administrative duties, Professor Witte serves as editor of the Cambridge Law and Christianity Series and Emory Studies in Law and Religion and coeditor of the Journal of Law and Religion, Brill Research Perspectives on Law and Religion, and the Aranzadi Colección Raíces del Derecho series. He holds degrees in law (Harvard University) and theology (Dr. Theol. h.c., University of Heidelberg). His lectures will be the inaugural True Lectures at the University of Notre Dame.Visit the Center for Citizenship & Constitutional Government: https://constudies.nd.edu/***The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the University of Notre Dame, the College of Arts and Letters, or the Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government.

Join Charles R. Kesler, Professor of Government at Claremont McKenna College, as he discusses the editing process of the Declaration of Independence. With his understanding of American political thought and history, Professor Kesler shares insights into the role editors play in shaping our understanding of pivotal historical documents.Professor Kesler's narrative is filled with historical details, like Thomas Jefferson's reluctance to claim the title of the Declaration's author.Furthermore, Professor Kesler discusses the implications of editorial changes on the understanding of natural and political rights within the context of the American Revolution.As the editor of the Claremont Review of Books, Professor Kesler speaks from a position of extensive experience.Visit the Center for Citizenship & Constitutional Government: https://constudies.nd.edu/***The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the University of Notre Dame, the College of Arts and Letters, or the Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government.